A significant change to the league this season will see 10 of the 14 rounds contested over 35 overs, up from two last year, and after warming into the season with four T20s, sides got their first taste of the longer format for 2025-26.
The two sides made good use of the longer format in a hard-fought contest.
After winning the toss, Bamawm-Lockington United went in to bat first and the top three set a good platform for a competitive total.
Amy Fitzgerald (13) and Ruby Brentnall (11) added 35 before falling in quick succession and Bree Styles anchored the innings with 39 unbeaten, initially retiring after 35 balls, and then returning for a second stint at the crease.
Shae Christie (7 not out) also retired and, while she found runs difficult to come by, she ensured her side made it through the 35 overs, returning late in a last-wicket stand with Styles.
Sophie Good (2-18) and Gillian Noelker (2-19) each snagged two wickets for Echuca.
BLU posted 9-130, a significant, but gettable, total for the visitor to Bamawm-Recreation Reserve to hunt down.
The Echuca chase was an up and down affair, with plenty of batters chipping in to get the job done.
Wickets fell throughout, but the likes of Good (16), Sophie McKee (15), Holly Smith (16 not out) and Leanne Carty (10 not out) helped build partnerships that kept the run rate ticking over.
The Lions were in with a chance at victory, having Echuca 5-98 in the 25th over, but the pairing of Smith and Carty helped resurrect the innings and get the final 33 runs required.
Echuca made the target late in the 32nd over, still five down.
Emma Beal (2-28) and Danielle Hucker (2-26) took two wickets apiece to lead the BLU bowlers.
Moama v Katamatite
Katamatite sent Moama in at Katamatite Recreation Reserve and the Mowers made a cagey start to their innings.
Openers Olivia Davy and Mia Arthurson showed longevity, but couldn’t push the run rate.
That changed upon the introduction of Delaney Laffy, who showed her typical intent, adding 36 from her 35 balls before retirement.
Later in the order, Jordan Dalziel added 18, while Beatrix Bray (13 not out) and Isla Laffy (10) were the other double-figure scorers as Moama posted 6-129.
Monique Bastiaan was the pick of the Katamatite attack, taking 3-19.
Katamatite had a decent crack at chasing down the total, led chiefly by Matilda Iddles (23), Georgia Watson (16 not out) and Sophie Stanley (17 not out).
However, the run rate continued to get out of hand as the innings wore on and by the final few overs it was clear the host would fall slightly short.
Sixteen runs was the difference as Katamatite finished 9-113.
Olivia Davy was solid with the ball, taking 3-17, while Jordan Dalziel bowled 2-18.
In the remaining game of the round, Nathalia was bowled out for 106 in 28.1 overs, but dismissed Cooma even quicker, the reply reaching 42 from 14.4 overs.
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